Dear Colleagues,
Welcome to this week’s issue of Education Essex.
Congratulations to colleagues at St Martin’s School which has been graded as outstanding in its recent Ofsted inspection.
I am pleased to announce Essex County Council will be hosting the first ever Essex Teaching Awards in January 2014.This is going to be an event to celebrate the dedication and hard work of colleagues performing a range of roles in inspiring young people in Essex.Nominations will open in September and further information can be found below or by visiting the Essex Teaching Awards page.
The SEND consultation events are taking place this month with the first session taking place next week.The deadline for applications has been extended although places are going quickly. Please see the attached flyer to apply for a place.
Have a good week.
Tim Coulson
Director of Education and Learning
School Updates
Continuous Professional Development
HR News
Events and Resources
Department for Education News
Click on the links above for more information
School Updates
- Reduced timetables and illegal exclusions
- Strategic review of Children’s Support Services
- Tree Safety Surveys On School Sites
- EMTAS Survey – Share your views
- Specialist Teacher Team Evaluation
Audience:Headteacher
Phase:EYFSKS1KS2Primary
School Type:All
We would like to bring to your attention the recently published Always Someone Else’s Problemfrom the Children’s Commissioner addressing the issue of pupils receiving less than their full entitlement to education.This document highlights the extent of the problem and need for the Local Authority to work with schools to address it.
Following the discussion of Essex County Council’s new approach to concerns with pupils receiving less than their full entitlement to education at the recent EPHA Executive meeting, please see the attached letter which provides more details regarding our discussions, as well as, information about our survey, which was agreed as a good starting point.
Schools are requested to complete the attached survey form to provide details for pupils receiving less than their full entitlement and to submit completed forms by email to .
For further information:
Contact: Ralph Holloway
Email:
Strategic review of Children’s Support Services
Audience:Headteacher
Phase:EYFSKS1KS2Primary
School Type:All
A formal consultation regarding the future delivery of services provided through the Children’s Support Service for children unable to attend school due to exclusion and illness and those at risk of exclusion is in process with secondary schools.
Options are currently being debated amongst secondary schools, which includes the present delivery and organisation of Pupil Referral Units (PRUs).As provision for primary aged children is managed alongside secondary aged children, it is clear that primary headteachers should also be involved in plans for future delivery of provision for primary aged children.
Please see the attached letterwhich outlines the consultation and also requests views to be submitted by primary headteachers toRalph Holloway by the end of term.
For further information:
Contact: Ralph Holloway
Email:
Tree Safety Surveys On School Sites
Audience:Headteacher/ Building and Facilities Manager
Phase:All Phases
School Type:All
Following agreement at the Schools Forum on 15 May 2013, Essex County Councils team of Arboriculturists will be contacting all schools to arrange a safety inspection of trees. This service is centrally funded for all schools, including academies, but all resulting remedial tree work requirements are to be funded locally.
The survey will identify significant defects or disorders.Schools can expect to receive a report detailing prioritised remedial work requirements and a plan showing tree locations shortly after the inspection.Once potential hazards have been identified it is imperative that they are remedied in a timely fashion.
For further information please see the attached letter.
EMTAS Survey – Share your views
Audience:All Staff
Phase:All Phases
School Type:All
This survey is to help us to understand your views about the Ethnic Minority and Traveller Service (EMTAS), so that we can use the information to help make decisions which will improve the services available for children and young people and your school.
Your answers are confidential and will not be shared with anyone.We will use the information to produce a summary report for our staff, schools and headteachers.
Please visit our online survey and answer the questions as fully and honestly as possible.You can leave out any questions you do not wish to answer.
Thank you in advance and we look forward to hearing your views.
Specialist Teacher Team Evaluation
Audience:Headteacher/ SENCOs
Phase:All Phases
School Type:All
Your views are important
Every year the Specialist Teacher Team asks for an evaluation of the service you have received.Previously Specialist Teachers had collected the information but we would like to use Survey Monkey for feedback this year.
Please visit our Specialist Teacher Team Evaluation to share your views.We want to continue providing a service which is valuable to your school and your feedback is very important to us.
Thank you in advance and we look forward to hearing your feedback.
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Continuous Professional Development
- Announcing the Essex Teaching Awards
- Summer Term Primary English Courses
- SENCO Bulletin – 11 June 2013
- Family Solutions Bulletin
- Correction regarding the Essex Schools’ Excellence Network meeting for MFL
Audience:All staff
Phase:All Phases
School Type:All
The Essex Teaching Awards will honour the achievement and dedication of those who work hard in Essex schools to inspire young people and deliver a world class education and skills system.
The award categories are aimed to specifically celebrate the contribution teaching and support staff provide toward the education of young people and will replicate the ten categories of the Pearson National Teaching Awards, supplemented by some extra Essex specific categories. Winners of the Essex Teaching Awards will also be offered to enter the Pearson Teaching Awards, giving them the opportunity to achieve national as well as local recognition.
Please see the attached Essex Teaching Awards information for more details including categories and important dates.
The nomination window will be open from 2 September to 25 October so please keep an eye out on the Essex Teaching Awards homepage for information on award categories and information on how to nominate.
For more information and details of the award categories:
Visit:
Summer Term Primary English Courses
Audience:Headteacher/ Literacy Coordinators
Phase:EYFSKS1KS2Primary
School Type:All
We have a range of upcoming literacy courses provided by the Primary English Teams which currently have some places available.
Please see the attachedcourse listfor information on sessions, as well as, details on how to book a place.
For further details see our website or contact us directly at:
Contact: Schools Learning Development Team
Email:
Telephone: 01245 434300
Visit:
SENCO Bulletin – 11 June 2013
Audience:SENCO
Phase:All Phases
School Type:All
Hope you all had a lovely half term and are feeling refreshed.This year seems to be zooming past and we can’t quite believe that we are already in the final half term.Time flies when you are having fun!
This issue of the SENCO bulletin contains details on:
- Make sure you book a place at your area SEND strategy event – this is your chance to express your views on the local authority provision for youngsters with SEND
- The 2013-14 INSET programme for SEN – a preview on what will be on offer next year so that you can start planning CPD for your school
- SENCO Conferences – book soon to make sure you get a place
Please contact us if you need any further information:
Contact: INSET Team
Telephone: 01268 632360
Family Solutions Bulletin
Audience:Headteacher/ SENCO/ Home School Support
Phase:All Phases
School Type:All
The latest bulletin provides information on recent communication meetings which have taken place and workshops now are available to support colleagues becoming familiar with the Effective Support for Children and Families in Essex guidance.
Also in this week’s bulletin:
- Communication Events following Effective Support for Children and Families in Essex Guidance
- Recruitment news for the Family Solutions Team
- The Volunteer Family Mentoring Programme Communication Event
- Quadrant workshops: Working Practice, Tools and Resources
- Closure of the Multi Agency Allocation Groups (MAAG)
Correction regarding the Essex Schools’ Excellence Network meeting for MFL
Audience: Headteacher/ Teachers
Phase:Secondary
School Type:All
In Education Essex Issue 85, 4 June 2013, the link to the MFL Excellence Network meeting information showed the date of the event as Wednesday 3rd July. This has since been changed to show the correct date: Tuesday 2nd July.
Anyone who has booked already has a place at this twilight on 2nd July.
Further information can found in the amended issue on Essex Schools Infolink.
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HR News
- HR News
- Disclosure & Barring Service – important changes
Audience:Human Resources/Staffing
Phase:All Phases
School Type:All
The Half Termly HR News that we produce is now available from the Latest Newssection of HR.There are separate versions for Schools & Academies.
For further information:
Visit: Essex Schools Infolink Human Resources
Disclosure & Barring Service – important changes
Audience:Human Resources/Staffing
Phase:All Phases
School Type:All
Important changes for DBS checking have been made by the Disclosure & Barring Service.A detailed document outlining the necessary changes has been produced. It is important that you read this document.It can be found on the Essex Schools Infolink under HR and the Latest Newsblackboard.
For further information:
Visit: Essex Schools Infolink Human Resources
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Events and Resources
- Exploding the Myth – Teachers Handbook KS3/4
- 40 Days of Summer at the Essex Country Parks
- Free resources for Moving Toys projects
Audience: Headteacher/ PSHE Coordinator
Phase:SecondarySpecial SchoolsPost 16
School Type:All
‘If you’ve ever taught a child experiencing housing difficulties, you’ll know the instant affect the disruption has on their education – and the lasting impact on their life.’
At this time, many young people will be exploring their options for the future and planning to become independent, this may include housing options. The latest Government welfare movements have affected many and it is currently a turbulent time of change for many families especially those young people wishing to leave home. The resources and tools are for those working closely with students to offer advice and guidance for not only those experiencing or facing homelessness, but preparing all young people, as unfortunately homelessness is non-discriminatory and can affect anyone at any time.
In the next instalment:
- ‘Causes and symptoms of homelessness ’
- How can colleagues identify and support students?
- Actions to consider
- Useful links and resources
Coming up - Exploding the Myth will be coming to Essex Schools Infolink very soon! The pages will provide you with the complete series, as well as, useful information and resources for teachers and support staff.
40 Days of Summer at the Essex Country Parks
Audience:Administration staff
Phase:All Phases
School Type:All
Action required: Request flyers and posters for your school by Tuesday 18 June 2013
This summer Essex Country Parks are inviting visitors to purchase a special summer offer for just £10, which guarantees car parking at all of the eight country parks and Cressing Temple across the 40 days of the school summer holiday!
A calendar full of fun activities has been packed in at the country parks and Cressing Temple this summer and include events like:
- Wild Wednesday at Danbury (FREE)
- Summer Funshine trail at Weald
- Go Bonkers inflatables at Great Notley
- Tudors Live at Cressing Temple
*The £10 Summer Offer will be available for purchase from Monday 1 July.
The important bit:
We are asking all schools if they would like a quota of flyers to issue either via School Book Bags, or via a display in reception.If this is something you would be interested in issuing, please email by Tuesday 18 June 2013.
Free resources for Moving Toys projects
Audience:DT Coordinator/ Teaching Staff
Phase:EYFSKS1KS2PrimarySpecial Schools
School Type:All
The European CLOHE educational project is an innovative project that is using mechanical moving toys (Automata) as a tool to enhance primary student’s learning across a range of transversal key competences including comprehension, mechanics, handicrafts, maths, arts and creativity.Children also learn to make plans, work collaboratively and interpret a text creatively.
The resources can be used to support modules of learning including mechanisms and moving toys. To support teachers replicating projects in class, CLOHE have provided free online resources on the project website. You can also share Automata with students by visiting CLOHE(access may require registration).
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Department for Education News
- Phonics Screening Checks Resource
- Guidance and Advice Hub
Audience:Headteacher/ Teaching Staff
Phase:KS1PrimarySpecial Schools
School Type:All
As the phonics screening checks will begin next week, the Department for Education have produced an online training video for teachers intended to support staff administering the checks. Useful online resources are also available for teachers to download.
For more information:
Visit: Phonics Screening Check Materials, Department for Education website
Guidance and Advice Hub
Audience:Administration staff
Phase:All Phases
School Type:All
The Department for Education have recently opened a new Essentials Hub. The hub houses departmental statutory guidance and departmental advice for schools which can be filtered by category and school type for easy access.Latest updates include the use of minibusesand updated guidance to help schools maintain high levels ofschool attendance.
For more information and to keep up to date:
Visit: Guidance and Advice, Department for Education website
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Education Essex is written by the Schools Communications team.If you have any comments or would like something included in a future edition of Education Essex please contact us:
Telephone: 01245 434745 Extension: 40745
Email:
Previous editions of Education Essex can be found on the Essex Schools Infolink website by visiting the Home page > General Information > Education Essex
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